Survey: Parents More Concerned About GTA Than Alcohol, Pornography

When asked for a single choice, parents are more concerned about their children’s exposure to games such as Grand Theft Auto than alcohol, violence, and pornography, according to a recent online poll conducted by family-centric consumer game site What They Play. A separate survey also showed that most parents considered viewing violence as more acceptable than exposure to content involving sex and sexuality. The initial poll, conducted April 4-10, 2008, found that, asked 1,266 participants what they are most offended by in video games. 37% responded that they were most offended by a man and a woman having sex, whereas 27% answered “two men kissing,” 25% responded “a graphically severed head,” and 9% chose “multiple use of the F-word.” The second poll, conducted August 1-6, 2008, and - like the first - only tracking single answers, as opposed to letting people pick multiple choices - asked over 1,600 respondents what they’d be most concerned about their 17-year-old child indulging in while at a sleepover. 49% revealed that they’re more apprehensive about their child smoking marijuana, and 19% responded that they are most concerned with their children playing Grand Theft Auto. 16% answered that they are most disturbed by their children watching pornography, while 14% are most concerned with them drinking beer. Said What They Like president John Davison: “These poll results demonstrate that parents are as apprehensive about their children’s media diets as they are about traditional social issues such as alcohol, drugs, violence and sex."